By Gabby Kaufman
Abortion is a widely debated topic within the Christian community. While the passing of Roe v Wade was groundbreaking for a lot of women, it shook the Christian community. A 2012 Gallup poll reveals that 57% of Protestant Christians identify themselves as pro-life while 33% are pro-choice. Before I go any further, I feel as if it is important to identify that being pro-life does not necessarily mean that you want women who have had or want to have abortions to go to hell. It simply means that you believe that life begins at conception, and should be valued and protected regardless of the host. It is also important to note that being pro-choice implicates that one supports a woman’s decision to have an abortion or not regardless of their reasoning.
Planned Parenthood is an organization that provides abortion services to women. It supports a specific political agenda that furthers the ability for pro choice activists to normalize the implications of abortion. In fact, a large amount of their income is from abortion services. Because many Christian equate abortion to be a sinful act, Christian Colleges should not support or provide internships to this facility.
Having grown up in a Conservative Christian household, I was taught to be pro-life for a multitude of reasons. The first, and in my opinion, the most important being my faith. The reason why I am still pro-life, regardless of the change in my political beliefs, is because Jeremiah 1:5 says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations (NLT).” This scripture proves to me that God is intentional, and does not make mistakes with every life that He creates. I have been involved with many nonprofit pro-life organizations in the past, though I refuse to associate myself with those who stand outside of abortion clinics to protest.
With that being said, there are various forms of activism that one can partake in to further their position. The Women’s Resource Medical Center of Southern Nevada is a perfect example of a non profit, pro-life organization that focuses on love rather than shame. They provide free ultrasounds and optional Christian counseling for women. If the woman decides to keep the baby, the organization supports them through the process and provides free baby clothes and food to them once the baby is born. This is the type of love and support that the Christian church should stand behind. Rather than supporting a political vendetta, the Church should always stand behind communicating love and support.
Grace Gaines